System and method for preventing/mitigating theft from a container, such as a safe

ABSTRACT

A system and method for mitigating theft from a container includes a container having a plurality of walls defining a first volume and an anti-theft mitigation device having a plurality of walls defining a second volume. A fastening mechanism is attached to the anti-theft mitigation device such that the antitheft mitigation device may be coupled to the container by the fastening mechanism. The second volume of the anti-theft mitigation device is substantially smaller than the first volume of the container. The anti-theft mitigation device may be positioned within the first volume and may appear to define a portion of the first volume of the container. The fastening mechanism may comprise at least one of a magnet, a hook and loop fastener, a screw, a nail, a rivot, a snap, a mating protuberance, a channel-containing structure, a mating male or female mechanical structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Retail and commercial establishments/organizations continue to beconcerned about losses due to theft. Typically, to deter theft, retailand commercial establishments will make frequent drops or physicaldeposits in a safe, where cash, checks, or charge slips are positionedin an upper portion of the safe.

The practice/location of the drops within safes has become so commonthat thieves are now increasingly targeting the contents of the saferather than cash held at the initial point of customer contact, such asat a cash register. Moreover, it is known that safes may house furthervaluable assets beyond cash/currency, which may be the target of theftand/or robbery.

While safes provide a first line of defense against theft, there is aneed for a method and system to deter/mitigate theft when a safe isopened or when a risk exists due to having the contents of a safeexposed.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A system and method for mitigating theft from a container includes acontainer having a plurality of walls defining a first volume and ananti-theft mitigation device having a plurality of walls defining asecond volume. A fastening mechanism is attached to the anti-theftmitigation device such that the antitheft mitigation device may becoupled to the container by the fastening mechanism. The second volumeof the anti-theft mitigation device is substantially smaller than thefirst volume of the container. The anti-theft mitigation device may bepositioned within the first volume and may appear to define a portion ofthe first volume of the container.

The fastening mechanism may comprise at least one of a magnet, a hookand loop fastener, a screw, a nail, a rivot, a snap, a matingprotuberance, a channel-containing structure, a mating male or femalemechanical structure.

The anti-theft mitigation device may have a plurality of walls and onlya single opening. The anti-theft mitigation device may have across-sectional geometry comprising at least of a rectangular shape anda triangular shape.

The container may comprise at least one of as a cabinet, a closet, adesk, a piece of furniture with a drawer, and a storage container havinga door.

In other embodiments, the container may comprise at least one of avault, a portable safe, a reinforced-fireproof cabinet, a document safe,a pawn drawer system, an in-floor safe, a wall safe, a jewelry safe, anda gun safe.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that arefurther described below in the detailed description. This summary is notintended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope ofthe claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the Figures, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughoutthe various views unless otherwise indicated. For reference numeralswith letter character designations such as “102A” or “102B”, the lettercharacter designations may differentiate two like parts or elementspresent in the same Figure. Letter character designations for referencenumerals may be omitted when it is intended that a reference numeral toencompass all parts having the same reference numeral in all Figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a system for mitigatingtheft from a container, such as a safe.

FIG. 2 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a perspective view of ananti-theft mitigation device that may be part of the system formitigating theft from a container, such as a safe.

FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the perspective viewof an anti-theft mitigation device that may be part of the system formitigating theft from a container, such as a safe.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an anti-theft mitigation device thatmay be part of the system for mitigating theft from a container, such asa safe.

FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of an anti-theftmitigation device that may be part of the system for mitigating theftfrom a container, such as a safe.

FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of the anti-theft mitigationdevice that may be part of a system for mitigating theft from acontainer, such as a safe.

FIG. 6B illustrates a perspective view of the anti-theft mitigationdevice that may be part of a system for mitigating theft from acontainer, such as a safe.

FIG. 6C illustrates a perspective view of the anti-theft mitigationdevice that may be part of a system for mitigating theft from acontainer, such as a safe.

FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a perspective view ofan anti-theft mitigation device that may be part of the system formitigating theft from a container, such as a safe.

FIG. 8 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a perspective view ofan anti-theft mitigation device that may be part of the system formitigating theft from a container, such as a safe.

FIG. 9 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a perspective view ofa system for mitigating theft from a container, such as a safe.

FIG. 10 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a perspective viewof an anti-theft mitigation device that may be part of the system formitigating theft from a container, such as a safe.

FIG. 11 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a perspective viewof an anti-theft mitigation device that may be part of the system formitigating theft from a container, such as a safe.

FIG. 12 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a perspective viewof an anti-theft mitigation device that may be part of the system formitigating theft from a container, such as a safe.

FIG. 13 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a perspective viewof an anti-theft mitigation device that may be part of the system formitigating theft from a container, such as a safe.

FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment ofan anti-theft mitigation device that may be part of a system formitigating theft from a container, such as a drawer safe or pawn drawersystem.

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary width dimension relative to the heightdimension for the first drawer and anti-theft mitigation device asillustrated in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 illustrates a top or elevational view of an exemplary embodimentof an anti-theft mitigation device that may be part of a system formitigating theft from a container, such as a drawer safe or pawn drawersystem.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a method for mitigating theft from acontainer, such as a safe or drawer system, according to one exemplaryembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary”is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous overother aspects.

FIG. 1 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a system 100 formitigating theft from a large container 16, such as a safe. The system100 may comprise a large container 16, like a safe, and an anti-theftmitigation device 10. While it is contemplated that the large container16 will typically comprise a security safe, one of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that other large containers for housing assets 22 maybe substituted without departing from the scope and spirit of thisdisclosure. For example, other large containers 16 include, but are notlimited to, cabinets, desks drawers, closets, and the like.

The large container 16 may contain assets 22 which have been illustratedwith two hexagons in FIG. 1. One or more assets 22A represented by thefirst hexagon may comprise one or more high-value assets while thesecond one or more assets 22B represented by second hexagon may compriseone or more assets having a value which is lower compared to the firstasset or assets 22A. However, in other exemplary embodiments, the twosets of assets 22 may comprise equivalent value if desired. Assets 22may include, but are not limited to, cash (currency), precious gems,controlled substances, sensitive documents, firearms, chemicals, objects(i.e. artwork), electronics, etc.

The first asset 22A may be contained within the large container 16 aswell as the anti-theft mitigation device 10. Meanwhile, the second asset22B may only be contained by the large container 16 and may be visiblewhen the door 14 to the large container 16 is opened as illustrated inFIG. 1. The first asset 22A is not visible since it is hidden from viewby the anti-theft mitigation device 10.

Specifically, the first asset 22A contained within an interior region orvolume defined by the anti-theft mitigation device 10 where the device10 is also within the interior or volume defined by the large container16 may not be visible to an operator when the door 14 is opened. Whenthe door 14 to the large container 16 is opened, the anti-theftmitigation device 10 appears to be part of a bulkhead and/or an upperwall 18A of the larger container 16. With the first asset 22A not beingvisible to the operator when the door 14 is opened, this decreases ormitigates the risk that an unauthorized operator, i.e., a thief/burglar,robber, will discover that the first asset 22A exists.

While the position of the anti-theft mitigation device 10 is shown to beon an upper wall 18A within the interior or volume defined by the largercontainer 16, it is apparent to one of ordinary skill the art that theanti-theft mitigation device 10 may be positioned on any other interiorwall of the larger container 16 such as interior sidewalls 18B, 18C aswell as the bottom interior wall 18D of the larger container 16. Theanti-theft mitigation device 10 has one or more fastening mechanisms 206which may be used to attach the anti-theft mitigation device 10 to anyinterior wall of the larger container 16. Further details of thefastening mechanisms 206 for the anti-theft mitigation device 10 will bedescribed below in connection with FIGS. 2-13.

As noted above, the larger container 16 may comprise any type ofcontainer as understood by one of ordinary skill the art. In theexemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the container 16 comprises asecurity safe. In such exemplary embodiments, the container 16 mayfurther comprise a security door 14 secured to the container 16 by doorfastening mechanisms 26. The security door 14 may comprise a handle 24that may open and close a locking mechanism 20.

The locking mechanism 20 has been represented with a rectangle inFIG. 1. The locking mechanism 20 may comprise a lock which may be openedwith a key (not illustrated) such as, but not limited to, a warded lock,pin tumbler lock, wafer tumbler lock, disc tumbler lock or abloy lock, atubular lock, and a lever tumbler lock. The locking mechanism 20 mayalso comprise a lock that does not use a physical key such as acombination type lock. Other types of locks include, but are not limitedto, a chamber lock, a cylinder lock, an electronic lock, an electricstrike, a magnetic lock, a mortise lock, a keycard lock, a magnetickeyed lock, a padlock, an RFID lock, a time lock, a biometric-activatedlock, and any combination thereof.

The locking mechanism 20 is designed to lock and keep the door 14 in aclosed position until the locking mechanism 20 is opened by an operator.When the door 14 of the larger container 16 is opened, the interiorregion 12 of the larger container 16 may be accessed. The interiorregion 12 of the larger container 16 may contain the anti-theftmitigation device 10 which houses the first asset 22A as well as thesecond asset 22B which may be visible when the door 14 is opened.

The container 16 may comprise any type of safe, such as, but not limitedto, room-sized fireproof vaults, such as a bank vault, fire-resistantsafes, reinforced-fireproof cabinets, data and document safes, in-floorsafes, wall safes, jewelry safes, pawn safes having multiple drawers,and gun safes. As noted previously, the container 16 is not limited tosafes and may comprise any type of container such as a cabinet, acloset, a desk, any type of furniture or storage container with drawers,doors, and the like. In some instances, the larger container 16 may notcomprise any locking mechanism 20 as understood by one of ordinary skillthe art. The container 16 made be made from various materials and withcombinations of materials. Exemplary materials for the container 16 mayinclude, but are not limited to, metal, wood, plastic, ceramics, cement,etc.

One advantage of the anti-theft mitigation device 10 is that ittypically has a geometry in which an operator opening the container 16would not think/infer the anti-theft mitigation device 10 is hollow andthat it may contain an asset 22A. The geometry of the anti-theftmitigation device 10 is usually such that it appears to be an extensionand/or part of the container 16 when the door 14 is open relative to theinterior region 12. In a sense, because of its materials, size, andshape, the anti-theft mitigation device 10 is “camouflaged” relative tothe interior of the container 16.

Further, the volume occupied by the anti-theft mitigation device 10usually has a magnitude which is less than the volume of the interiorregion 12 defined by the container 16. Additionally, the exteriormaterials of the anti-theft mitigation device 10 are selected such thatthey substantially match and/or are identical to the materials used toform the interior of the larger container 16.

When attached to the large container 16 as shown in FIG. 1, theanti-theft mitigation device 10 is configured to provide the operatorwith an impression (appearance) that the device 10 forms a portion ofthe interior region 12 of the container 16. “Interior region” means anyportion within the container 16 wherein an asset 22 may be stored. Whenthe anti-theft mitigation device 10 is attached or otherwise secured toa portion of the interior region 12 of the larger container 16, thecontents, which may include the asset 22A, of the container 16 arehidden from plain sight of potential thieves or other viewers of theinterior region 12.

FIG. 2 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a perspective view of ananti-theft mitigation device 10 that may be part of the system 100 formitigating theft from a container 16, such as a safe, as illustrated inFIG. 1. The anti-theft mitigation device 10 may comprise a “wedge”-likeor “prism”-like outer geometry according to this exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the wedge-like shape for this exemplaryembodiment may comprise first and second triangularly shaped walls 202A,202B and two rectangularly shaped walls 208A, 208B. These four walls202, 208 define an opening 210 that allows access to an internalcavity/volume within the wedge-like shape.

One of the rectangular shaped walls 208A may comprise one or morefastening mechanisms 206 for coupling the anti-theft mitigation device10 to an interior region 12 of the larger container 16. According to oneexemplary embodiment, the one or more fastening mechanisms 206 maycomprise strip magnets when the larger container 16 is made from metalsthat easily couple to magnets. According to the exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIG. 2, three strip magnets form the fastening mechanisms206. However, the number and size of the fastening mechanisms may bevaried without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure.Other fastening mechanisms 206 are possible and are included within thescope of this disclosure. Other fastening mechanisms 206 are describedbelow in connection with FIG. 6.

Projecting from the second rectangular wall 208B is a lip or short wall204. This lip or short wall 204 may prevent an asset 22 from sliding outof the interior region or volume of the wedge-like shaped volume whenthe anti-theft mitigation device 10 is coupled to one of the walls 18 ofthe larger container 16, such as illustrated in FIG. 1. The height ofthe lip or short wall 204 may be modified without departing from thescope and spirit of this disclosure. That is, the height of the lip orshort wall 204 may be increased or decreased depending on the types ofassets 22 which are stored within the volume defined by the anti-theftmitigation device 10.

The anti-theft mitigation device 10 may be constructed using one or morematerials. According to one exemplary embodiment, each of the walls 202,204, and 208 may be made from a material such as metal. However, othermaterials and combinations of materials may be used without departingfrom the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Other materials include,but are not limited to, wood, cement, ceramics, glass, composites,polymers (i.e. plastics), and any combination thereof. To provide theappearance that the anti-theft mitigation device is part of thecontainer 16, the device 10 typically has the same color, texture, andmaterial as at least the interior housing of the container 16.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, each triangular sidewall 202, may comprise ascalene right triangle which has an angle A2 of approximately 90.0° andtwo other angles A1, A3 which are acute and are less than 90°, such as,but not limited to 30.0°. However, other types of triangular shapes arepossible and are included within the scope of this disclosure.

When the angle A2 of each sidewall 202 comprises a magnitude ofapproximately 90°, this means that the corner having the sides/lineswhich form this angle A2 may substantially mirror the shape of thecontainer 16 when the container 16 comprises walls 18 that are joinedtogether at 90° angles. When the container 16 comprises walls 18 joinedtogether at 90° angles, the opening 210 to the anti-theft mitigationdevice 10 may be sealed or closed by a corresponding wall 18 of thecontainer such as illustrated in FIG. 1 described above.

Referring now to FIG. 3, this figure illustrates another exemplaryembodiment of a perspective view of an anti-theft mitigation device 10that may be part of the system 100 for mitigating theft from a container16, like a safe. The exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 issimilar to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2. Therefore,only the differences between these two exemplary embodiments will bedescribed below.

According to this exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, one of the rectangularwalls 208B may be provided with a material or coating 212 for reducingor eliminating direct contact between an asset 22 and the rectangularwall 208B. The material or coating 212 may comprise at least one of acloth material, a plastic film, a rubber film, and the like in order toreduce or eliminate direct contact between an asset 22 and therectangular wall 208B.

The material or coating 212 may be helpful for those assets 22, such asan object or piece of art, which may be damaged or injured if the asset22 rubs/slides against the rectangular wall 208B, especially when therectangle wall 208B is constructed from a hard material such as metal.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, a height H1 isprovided for the lip or short wall 204. According to one exemplaryembodiment, the height H1 may comprise a magnitude between approximately0.25 of an inch to several inches, and usually a magnitude which is lessthan one of the dimensions of the side walls 202. Other magnitudes forthe height H1 are possible and are within the scope of this disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 4, this figure illustrates a side view of ananti-theft mitigation device 10 that may be part of the system 100 formitigating theft from a container 16, such as a safe. The exemplaryembodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 is similar to the exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIG. 3. Therefore, only the differences between these twoexemplary embodiments will be described below.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the dimensions for theanti-theft mitigation device 10 are provided and which may include alength dimension L, a width dimension W, and a height dimension H2. Thewidth dimension W generally has a magnitude which matches or is veryclose to the internal width of the container 16. In this way, theanti-theft mitigation device 10 will have a “look” or an appearance thatthe structure is integral with an interior wall 18 of the container 16.According to one exemplary embodiment, the width dimension W may have amagnitude that is between about 5.0 inches to about 30.0 inches.

Meanwhile, the height dimension H2 may have a magnitude that is betweenabout 2.0 inches to about 8.0 inches. The length dimension L may have amagnitude that is between about 4.0 inches to about 16.0 inches. One ofordinary skill the art recognizes that other magnitudes for thesedimensions are possible and are included within the scope of thisdisclosure. With these exemplary dimensions noted above, the anti-theftmitigation device 10 may define an internal volume having a magnitudebetween approximately 200.0 cubic inches to approximately 400.0 cubicinches.

FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of an anti-theftmitigation device 10 that may be part of the system 100 for mitigatingtheft from a container, such as a safe. The exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIG. 5 is similar to the exemplary embodiment illustratedin FIG. 4. Therefore, only the differences between these two exemplaryembodiments will be described below.

According to this exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, the fasteningmechanism 206 comprises a single, substantially planar (flat) magnetthat covers an entire surface of the anti-theft mitigation device 10.That is, the fastening mechanism 206 in this exemplary embodiment has asurface area which is substantially equal to or equivalent to thesurface area of one of the sides of the anti-theft mitigation device 10.The fastening mechanism 206 may be coupled to the side of the anti-theftmitigation device 10 with an adhesive. When the container 16 isconstructed from metal, the fastening mechanism 206 comprising themagnet will coupled to the container 16 due to its magnetic force asunderstood by one of ordinary skill the art.

Referring now to FIG. 6A, this figure illustrates a perspective view ofthe anti-theft mitigation device 10 that may be part of a system 100 formitigating theft from a container 16, such as a safe. The exemplaryembodiment illustrated in FIG. 6A is similar to the exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIG. 3. Therefore, only the differences between these twoexemplary embodiments will be described below.

According to this exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6A, one side of theanti-theft mitigation device 10 comprises two lips or short walls 204.Specifically, a first lower lip 204A may be present on a same side as asecond upper lip 204B. The heights of these two lips 204 may besubstantially equal or they may be different. According to the exemplaryembodiment illustrated in FIG. 6A, the lower lip 204A has a heightmagnitude which is less than the height magnitude of the second upperlip 204B. As noted previously, these lips 204 may help prevent assets 22from sliding out of the anti-theft mitigation device 10 when it iscoupled to a container 16.

In this exemplary embodiment, the fastening mechanism 206 has beenrepresented by a functional rectangular box to indicate that any type offastening mechanism may be employed with the anti-theft mitigationdevice 10 without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Exemplaryfastening mechanisms 206 include, but are not limited to, magnets, hookand loop fasteners sold under the trademark VELCRO™, screws, nails,rivot, snaps, mating protuberance/channel-containing structures, matingmale/female structures, and the like. The fastening mechanism 206 maycomprise a hinge and hook system so that the anti-theft mitigationdevice 10 may rotate around the hinge when the hook is disengaged, wherethe hinge and hook are coupled to one side of an interior of thecontainer 16.

FIG. 6B illustrates a perspective view of the anti-theft mitigationdevice 10 that may be part of a system 100 for mitigating theft from acontainer 16, such as a safe. The exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 6B is similar to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3.Therefore, only the differences between these two exemplary embodimentswill be described below.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the anti-theft mitigation device10 may comprise two lips or short walls 204A, 204B similar to FIG. 6A.The fastening mechanism 206 may also comprise a single, substantiallyplanar magnet which is flush mounted relative to side 208A. That is,side 208A may be provided with a recessed region which may receive thefastening mechanism 206 which has a thickness. The recessed region withinside 208A may have a depth which is substantially equal to orequivalent to the thickness of the fastening mechanism 206.

FIG. 6C illustrates a perspective view of the anti-theft mitigationdevice 10 that may be part of a system 100 for mitigating theft from acontainer 16, such as a safe. The exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 6C is similar to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3.Therefore, only the differences between these two exemplary embodimentswill be described below.

In this exemplary embodiment, the fastening mechanism 206 may comprisethree cylindrical shaped, industrial-type magnets which may havemagnetic forces that exceed the strip or planar magnets of the otherembodiments illustrated. That is, the pull force associated with themagnets of this FIG. 6A may exceed the pull force of the other exemplaryembodiments. The pull force for the magnets for this exemplaryembodiment as well as the other embodiments may range between 1.0 to100.0 pounds of force. However, other magnitudes greater or less thanthis range are possible and are within the scope of this disclosure.Exemplary magnets include, but are not limited to, iron oxide, Ba- orSr-carbonate, Mn—Al alloy, and Neodymium-iron-boron (NIB) type magnets.

Referring now to FIG. 7, this figure illustrates another exemplaryembodiment of a perspective view of an anti-theft mitigation device 10that may be part of the system 100 for mitigating theft from a container16, such as a safe. The exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 issimilar to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6. Therefore,only the differences between these two exemplary embodiments will bedescribed below.

According to this exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7, the anti-theftmitigation device 10 only has one lip or short wall 204 at the entranceof the cavity or volume defined by the anti-theft mitigation device 10.The fastening mechanism 206 may comprise a magnet which has a surfacearea which substantially matches a surface area of one side of theanti-theft mitigation device 10.

Referring now to FIG. 8, this figure illustrates another exemplaryembodiment of a perspective view of an anti-theft mitigation device 10that may be part of the system 100 for mitigating theft from a container16, such as a safe. The exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 issimilar to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. Therefore,only the differences between these exemplary embodiments will bedescribed below.

The anti-theft mitigation device 10 of the exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIG. 8 will have a length dimension L, height dimensionH2, and a width dimension W which are appropriate for smaller containers16, such as hotel safes which are often part of other containers such asclosets or walls of a hotel. Exemplary magnitudes for the dimensions ofthe anti-theft mitigation device 10 include, but are not limited to,those which would permit the anti-theft mitigation device 10 to becontained by a hotel safe having exemplary dimensions of approximately8.0 inches for its length, approximately 14.0 inches for its width, andapproximately 8.0 inches for its height. An exemplary hotel safe sold asof this writing with these dimensions is LockState™ brand safe, model19EPL.

Referring now to FIG. 9, this figure illustrates another exemplaryembodiment of a perspective view of a system 100 for mitigating theftfrom a container 16, such as a safe. The exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIG. 9 is similar to the exemplary embodiment illustratedin FIG. 1. Therefore, only the differences between these two exemplaryembodiments will be described below.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9, the anti-theft mitigation device10 has a substantially rectangular or parallel-piped geometrical shape.This means that the cross-section of the anti-theft mitigation device 10in this embodiment has a shape that is substantially rectangular.Another difference between this exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9 comparedto the embodiment of FIG. 1 is that an opening for the anti-theftmitigation device 10 is on the side of the unit at reference numeral 900compared to the “rear” opening of the wage embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1. Further details about this exemplary embodiment will bedescribed below in connection with FIGS. 10-11.

FIG. 10 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a perspective viewof an anti-theft mitigation device 10 that may be part of the system 100for mitigating theft from a container 16, such as a safe. FIG. 10illustrates a side perspective view of the anti-theft mitigation device10 that is presented in FIG. 9. The anti-theft mitigation device 10 hasan opening 900 defined by the two pairs of walls 202A-B, 208A-B. Thisanti-theft mitigation device 10 has a fastening mechanism 206 whichcomprises two planar magnets which may have substantially equal surfaceareas.

The anti-theft mitigation device 10 of the exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIG. 10 will have a length dimension L, height dimensionH2, and a width dimension W which are appropriate for containers 16,such as standard safes. Exemplary magnitudes for these dimensionsinclude, but are not limited to, a length L of approximately 5.5 inches,a height H2 of approximately 4.0 inches, and a width W of approximately14.0 inches. However, other magnitudes larger or smaller are possibleand are included within the scope of this disclosure as understood byone of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 11, this figure illustrates another exemplaryembodiment of a perspective view of an anti-theft mitigation device 10that may be part of the system 100 for mitigating theft from a container16, such as a safe. The exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11 issimilar to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10. Therefore,only the differences between these two exemplary embodiments will bedescribed below.

According to this exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11, an optional door 1100(illustrated with dashed lines) that is movable may be provided to coverthe opening 900 at the end of the anti-theft mitigation device 10. Thisdoor 1100 may be coupled to the anti-theft mitigation device 10 by ahinge 1102. This door 1100 may be provided with a locking mechanism 20(not illustrated) similar to the locking mechanisms described above inorder to provide an added layer of security relative to the container16. The optional door 1100 may be constructed from materials similar tothe walls 202 and 208.

With the door 1100, the anti-theft mitigation device 10 may provide avolume which is completely sealed relative to the container 16 in whichthe anti-theft mitigation device that resides. Meanwhile, most of theexemplary embodiments described above usually provide the anti-theftmitigation device 10 with at least one opening such that the volumedefined by the anti-theft mitigation device 10 is not completely sealedby the device 10 itself.

FIG. 12 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a perspective viewof an anti-theft mitigation device 10 that may be part of the system 100for mitigating theft from a container 16, such as a safe. The exemplaryembodiment illustrated in FIG. 12 is similar to the exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIG. 10. Therefore, only the differences between thesetwo exemplary embodiments will be described below.

According to this exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12, theanti-theft mitigation device 10 has both an upper lip 204B and a lowerlip 204A that may prevent assets 22A from falling out of the opening 900during movement of the device 10.

Similar to FIG. 6A, the fastening mechanism 206 of FIG. 12 has beenrepresented by a functional rectangular box to indicate that any type offastening mechanism may be employed with the anti-theft mitigationdevice 10 without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Exemplaryfastening mechanisms 206 include, but are not limited to, hook and loopfasteners sold under the trademark VELCRO™, screws, nails, rivot, snaps,mating protuberance/channel-containing structures, mating male/femalestructures, and the like. The fastening mechanism 206 may comprise ahinge and hook system so that the anti-theft mitigation device 10 mayrotate around the hinge when the hook is disengaged, where the hinge andhook are coupled to one side of an interior of the container 16.

Referring now to FIG. 13, this figure illustrates another exemplaryembodiment of a perspective view of an anti-theft mitigation device 10that may be part of the system 100 for mitigating theft from a container16, such as a safe. The exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13 issimilar to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10. Therefore,only the differences between these two exemplary embodiments will bedescribed below.

According to this exemplary embodiment of FIG. 13, only a single lip204A is provided to help prevent assets 22A from sliding out the of theanti-theft mitigation device 10. The fastening mechanism 206 for thisexemplary embodiment comprises a single planar magnet that has a surfacearea which is substantially equal to or equivalent to one side of theanti-theft mitigation device 10.

Referring now to FIG. 14, this figure illustrates a side cross-sectionalview of an exemplary embodiment of an anti-theft mitigation device 10that may be part of a system 100 for mitigating theft from a container16, such as a drawer safe or pawn drawer system. The system 100 of FIG.14 may comprise a first drawer 16A, a second drawer 16B, and ananti-theft mitigation device 10 positioned on a lower portion relativeto the first drawer 16A for protecting an asset 22. The first drawer 16Amay comprise a wall or top portion 18 that may be opened as indicatedwith the dashed lines.

The second drawer 16B may comprise a drawer locking system 1402 that maypermit only one wall or top portion 18 to be opened at any given timewhen a plurality of drawers 16 are coupled together to form a unit (seeFIG. 16 described below). The anti-theft mitigation device 10 of thisexemplary embodiment is provided with a height dimension relative to aheight dimension of the first drawer 16A such that an ordinary observermay believe that the top portion of the anti-theft mitigation device 10is the bottom portion of the first drawer 16A.

Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that the“bottom” portion of the first drawer 16A is relative to the orientationin which the drawer system may operate. If the first drawer 16A wasrotated ninety degrees clockwise, then the “bottom” portion may then becharacterized as a “rear” portion relative to how the wall or topportion 18 is opened.

Referring now to FIG. 15, this figure illustrates an exemplary side viewof the first drawer 16A and the anti-theft mitigation device 10. Thesecond drawer 16B is not illustrated in this figure.

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary width dimension relative to the heightdimension for the first drawer 16A and anti-theft mitigation device asillustrated in FIG. 14. As FIGS. 14-16 illustrate, the first drawer 16Aand the anti-theft mitigation device 10 have substantially rectangularshaped cross-sections and form parallel-piped three-dimensionalgeometries as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Therelative sizes of these geometries as well as the actual shapes may bevaried as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of this disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 16, this figure illustrates a top or elevationalview of an exemplary embodiment of an anti-theft mitigation device 10that may be part of a system 100 for mitigating theft from a container16, such as a drawer safe or pawn drawer system. The system 100 maycomprise a drawer locking system 1402 that permits only one wall or topportion 18 of any first drawer 16A to be opened at any given time when aplurality of drawers 16A are coupled together to form a unit. In theexemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16, three drawers 16A1-16A3 areillustrated. Also, the outer second drawer 16B for each first drawer16A1-16A3 is not illustrated for clarity.

The three drawers 16A1-16A3 which each have a respective anti-theftmitigation device 10 may move in a lateral direction as indicated bydirectional arrow 1408. The three drawers 16A1-16A3 may be coupled tobearings 1404 which allow the three drawers 16A1-16A3 to slide when ahandle 1406 is pulled or pushed by an operator. Each anti-theftmitigation device 10 of FIGS. 14-16 may comprise fastening mechanisms206 and openings 900 as well as doors 1100 similar and/or identical tothose as described above in connection with FIGS. 9-13.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1700 for mitigating theftfrom a container, such as a safe or drawer system, according to oneexemplary embodiment. Block 1705 is the first step of method 1700.

In block 1705, an anti-theft mitigation device 10 defining a volume withmaterials that match a container 16 and which has a geometrical shapethat makes the volume appear to be part of the container 16 is formed.As described above in connection with FIGS. 1-16, the anti-theftmitigation device 10 may be formed from materials such as metal when thecorresponding container 16 is also made from metal. As illustrated inFIGS. 1-8, the exemplary geometry of the anti-theft mitigation device 10may comprise a triangular prism or wedge. As illustrated in FIGS. 9-16,the anti-theft mitigation device 10 may comprise a rectangular block.

In block 1710, fastening mechanisms 206 may be attached to theanti-theft mitigation device 10. When the container 16 is made frommetal, the fastening mechanisms 206 may comprise one or more magnets sothat the anti-theft mitigation device 10 may be coupled to the container16 by the magnetic force generated by the one or more magnets. However,if the container 16 is made from other materials, such as wood,plastics, ceremics, cement, etc. other fastening mechanisms 206 may beemployed. Other exemplary fastening mechanisms 206 besides magnetsinclude, but are not limited to, hook and loop fasteners sold under thetrademark VELCRO™, screws, nails, rivot, snaps, matingprotuberance/channel-containing structures, mating male/femalestructures, and the like.

Next, in block 1715, one or more assets 22 may be placed within thevolume defined by the walls of the anti-theft mitigation device 10. Asdescribed above, assets 22 may include, but are not limited to, cash(currency), precious gems, controlled substances, sensitive documents,firearms, chemicals, objects (i.e. artwork), electronics, etc.

Next in block 1720, the anti-theft mitigation device 10 may be coupledto the container 16 with the fastening mechanisms 206 at a locationwithin the container 16 such that the mitigation device 10 appears toform a portion of the interior region of the container 16 and appearsnot to define a volume for storage of any assets 22.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, the wedge-like shape of the anti-theftmitigation device 10 appears to form a bulkhead or top region of aninterior region of the container 16. While FIG. 1 illustrates theanti-theft mitigation device 10 attached to a top portion/ceiling/topwall 18A of the container 16, the anti-theft mitigation device 10 may beeasily attached to the side walls 18B,C or bottom wall 18D withoutdeparting from the scope of this disclosure.

In FIGS. 9-13, the anti-theft mitigation device 10 is illustrated with arectangular block-like geometry that is attached to a top wall 18A ofthe container 16. The anti-theft mitigation device 10 may be easilyattached to the side walls or bottom wall without departing from thescope of this disclosure.

In FIGS. 14-16, the anti-theft mitigation device 10 is illustrated witha compressed rectangular geometry and is positioned at a bottom or rearportion of a drawer container 16. In this exemplary embodiment, theanti-theft mitigation device 10 appears to form a bottom portion of thedrawer system/container 16. After block 1720, the method 1700 returns.

Certain steps in the processes or process flows described in thisspecification naturally precede others for the invention to function asdescribed. However, the invention is not limited to the order of thesteps described if such order or sequence does not alter thefunctionality of the invention. That is, it is recognized that somesteps may performed before, after, or parallel (substantiallysimultaneously with) other steps without departing from the scope andspirit of the invention. In some instances, certain steps may be omittedor not performed without departing from the invention. Further, wordssuch as “thereafter”, “then”, “next”, etc. are not intended to limit theorder of the steps. These words are simply used to guide the readerthrough the description of the exemplary method.

Alternative embodiments will become apparent to one of ordinary skill inthe art to which the invention pertains without departing from itsspirit and scope. Therefore, although selected aspects have beenillustrated and described in detail, it will be understood that varioussubstitutions and alterations may be made therein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for mitigating theft from a containercomprising: a container having a plurality of walls defining a firstvolume, the container further comprising a single door through whichprovides access to the first volume; a removable anti-theft mitigationdevice having a plurality of rigid walls defining a second volume; afastening mechanism attached to the removable anti-theft mitigationdevice, the anti-theft mitigation device being coupled to one of theplurality of walls of the container by the fastening mechanism, whereinthe second volume of the removable anti-theft mitigation device issubstantially smaller than the first volume of the container, theremovable anti-theft mitigation device being positioned within the firstvolume and appearing to define a portion of the first volume, theremovable anti-theft mitigation device being visible within the firstvolume and accessible when the single door for the container is opened,wherein the removable anti-theft mitigation device has a single openingthrough which to access one or more valuable objects, the removableanti-theft mitigation device comprises a rectangular three-dimensionalgeometry having a length dimension, width dimension, and a first heightdimension; the width dimension being substantially greater than thefirst height dimension and length dimension, the length dimension beinggreater than the first height dimension; the length dimension and firstheight dimension defining a rectangular cross-sectional geometry for therectangular three-dimensional geometry; the single opening being definedby the length and the first height dimension and positioned at one endof the rectangular three-dimensional geometry; the single openingcomprising a lip that is positioned adjacent to a floor of the removableanti-theft mitigation device; the floor comprising one of the pluralityof rigid walls of the removable anti-theft mitigation device which doesnot have a surface on which the fastening mechanism is attached; the lipcomprising a second height dimension that is substantially less than thefirst height dimension of the rectangular three-dimensional geometry;the lip partially closing the single opening closest to the floor of theremovable anti-theft mitigation device, the lip substantially preventingthe one or more valuable objects from sliding out of the single openingof the three-dimensional geometry.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein thefastening mechanism comprises at least one of a magnet, a hook and loopfastener, a screw, a nail, a rivot, a snap, a mating protuberance, achannel-containing structure, a mating male or female mechanicalstructure.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the container comprises atleast one of a vault, a portable safe, a reinforced-fireproof cabinet, adocument safe, an in-floor safe, a wall safe, a jewelry safe, and a gunsafe.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the container is made from atleast one of metal, wood, cement, ceramics, glass, composites, polymers,and a combination thereof.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein theantitheft mitigation device comprises a material composition thatsubstantially matches one or more materials that define an interior ofthe first volume.
 6. An anti-theft mitigation system comprising: acontainer having a plurality of walls defining a first volume, thecontainer further comprising a single door through which provides accessto the first volume; a removable anti-theft mitigation devicecomprising: a plurality of rigid walls defining a second volume having asubstantially triangular cross-section, the second volume comprising asingle opening; and a fastening mechanism attached to one of theplurality of rigid walls, the fastening mechanism defining asubstantially planar surface, the single opening existing on a side ofthe second volume which does not have the fastening mechanism and theside does not have a surface on which the fastening mechanism isattached, the wall on which the fastening mechanism is attached definingone side of the substantially triangular cross-section, the removableanti-theft mitigation device being coupled to one of the plurality ofwalls of the container by the fastening mechanism, wherein the secondvolume of the removable anti-theft mitigation device is substantiallysmaller than the first volume of the container, the removable anti-theftmitigation device being positioned within the first volume and appearingto define a portion of the first volume, the removable anti-theftmitigation device being visible within the first volume and accessiblewhen the single door for the container is opened, the single openingpermits access to one or more valuable objects, the removable anti-theftmitigation device comprises a substantially triangular three-dimensionalgeometry having a length dimension, width dimension, and a first heightdimension; the width dimension being substantially greater than thefirst height dimension and length dimension; the length dimension beinggreater than the first height dimension; the length dimension, the widthdimension and first height dimension defining a substantially triangularcross-sectional geometry for the substantially three-dimensionalgeometry; the single opening being defined by the width dimension andthe first height dimension and positioned at one end of thesubstantially triangular three-dimensional geometry; the single openingcomprising a lip that is positioned adjacent to a floor of the removableanti-theft mitigation device; the floor comprising one of the pluralityof rigid walls of the removable anti-theft mitigation device which doesnot have a surface on which the fastening mechanism is attached; the lipcomprising a second height dimension that is substantially less than thefirst height dimension of three-dimensional geometry; the lip partiallyclosing the single opening closest to the floor of the removableanti-theft mitigation device; the lip substantially preventing the oneor more valuable objects from sliding out of the single opening of thethree-dimensional geometry.
 7. The anti-theft mitigation system of claim6, wherein the fastening mechanism comprises at least one of a magnetand a hook and loop fastener.
 8. The anti-theft mitigation system ofclaim 6, further comprising a planar material positioned on an interiorwall of the removable anti-theft mitigation device.
 9. The anti-theftmitigation system of claim 8, wherein the removable anti-theftmitigation device is made from at least one of metal, wood, cement,ceramics, glass, composites, polymers, and a combination thereof. 10.The anti-theft mitigation system of claim 6, wherein the substantiallytriangular cross-section has at least one angle comprising approximately90 degrees.